Marvel's animated anthology series What If...? has been making waves as it enters the twilight of its third season, presenting fans and critics with mixed reactions along the way. This season has predominantly revolved around Uatu the Watcher, his role as observer, and his increasing tendency to interfere with the multiverse's narratives.
The sixth episode of Season 3, titled "What If…1872?", stands out as it ventures back to the Old West, pairing Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) and Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld) on their quest to confront the villain known as The Hood. Viewers are invited to explore this alternate reality where narrative elements drawn from Western iconography are dominant, bringing familiar characters to entirely new contexts. It teases the possibility of more significant character explorations, particularly for Shang-Chi, who has been perceived as under-utilized within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Directors Stephan Franck and Bryan Andrews craft episodes filled with excitement and plot twists, though the need to juggle numerous new characters has led to some narrative sacrifices. This blend of storytelling aspects presents various marvelous figures battling threats and forming alliances, yet critiques reveal how little cohesion there is compared to the comic book inspirations.
During this enthralling episode, viewers meet Jun-Fan (Allen Deng), who is searching for his father, amid the backdrop of train-based adventures. The stakes rise as the plot reveals The Hood's true identity as Xialing, Shang-Chi's sister. This twist not only contributes to the emotional resonance of the story but also showcases the extent of the character's powers, with Xialing struggling against the corruptive influences of The Hood. The chaotic climax involves Kate accidentally shooting Xialing without knowing her connection.
The heartbreaking confrontation was met with praise among some fans who were delighted with Andrews's decision to avoid overly sorrowful reactions post-tragedy. “You didn’t kill her, Kate. The Hood did,” Shang-Chi reassures Kate Bishop, reflecting the nuances of conflicting emotions inherent within the abrupt turn of events.
Despite these intriguing character moments and plot developments, reviews suggest Season 3 lacks the innovative storytelling and emotional depth seen in previous seasons. Critics argue the latest offering seems devoid of fresh ideas, with the character explorations feeling forced rather than thoughtfully integrated. Indeed, this season has been described as “largely disappointing with few bright spots,” losing the charm seen earlier when exploring intriguing alternate narratives.
Series' head of Streaming, Television and Animation, Brad Winderbaum, reassured fans during promotional discussions, promising the final run would do justice to the series and the beloved Watcher. Winderbaum remarked, “It feels like the completion of a trilogy,” referring to the way this season aims to tie up loose ends across the multiverse fully. With narratives becoming increasingly convoluted, this assurance offers audiences hope for resolution.
Looking forward, one of the most anticipated episodes is "What If… the Watcher Disappeared?" The teaser promises to impact Uatu's fate and character significantly, echoing the themes of regret associated with his previous interventions. Viewers will experience the introduction of Storm (Alison Sealy-Smith) from the X-Men, marking another significant crossover event as the stakes rise to unprecedented levels.
Interestingly, as the penultimate episodes approach, many voices within the fandom express concerns about the show’s timely cancellation and whether it will provide audiences with adequate closure. The overall anticipation of how the story strands tie up adds layers to the viewing experience, especially considering the promise of character explorations beyond the immediate narrative offered.
While the voice performances remain strong, with notable contributions from Light, Lyonne, and others, fan enthusiasm seems to be waning around its execution and narrative choice. Critics have posited, "the series has not shown these beings’ true nature enough," speculating on the potential for broader explorations if the show continued.
Soon to be concluded, What If…?'s third season highlights the delicate dance of cramming Marvel's richer lore within the constraints of animated storytelling, battling between depth and spectacle. Some long for the series to push harder and tap more innovatively within its formative structure, especially as characters explore their fates throughout the infinite reaches of the multiverse.
With only two episodes left, fans will be left wondering whether they will receive the closure they've anticipated since the series kicked off. Upcoming episodes need to capitalize on the emotional depth and character trajectories established throughout the series, or risk leaving audiences feeling shortchanged.
The sixth episode of What If…? Season 3 is available to stream on Disney+ now, with the final two episodes set to air shortly thereafter. Viewers will undoubtedly hope for memorable resolutions as they venture back to familiar multiversal turf.
